June Favorite Things

Ashley is so awesome.  If she is not in your reader, go add her.   She does a monthly favorite things post.  She does it on the last day of every month.  So fun!  Join in if you would like!

I did this in May before I even knew Ashley did a Favorite Things post.

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1.  This video and this song are my favorite right now.  I listen to it on repeat over and over as I write.  Love.it.

2.  I found the bomb dot com candy at the movies the other day.  Clearly my two favorite candies rolled into a little ball of yumminess.  So good!

3.  These pictures from the splash pad Monday make me smile.

 Bug posing...

 Big talking... imagine that

Being bashful

This picture makes me laugh.

Big is looking at her friend like, "Ummm, yeah.  You are totally drinking pee."

4.  This is HerStyler.  It smells awesome and makes my hair so super soft.  I love it!

HerStyler is $50 for a 2 oz bottle.  That price is little steep.  However, you can get it on Amazon for $7.  When I ordered mine it was only $4.  Their price has gone up a little but it is definitely not $50.  You are welcome!

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Happy Friday!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!

"I want the whole damn world, to come and dance with me..."

Summer Reading List: Week One & Week Two

Reading is a big part of our lives.  I read to the girls even when I was pregnant.  We enjoy children's book as well as early reader chapter books.

This summer Caroline is participating in a summer reading program at the local library.

I am going to keep up with our reading list on the dot com because I will lose it if I write it anywhere else.  Ha!

So here are our first two weeks of books.

Tomorrow starts week 3.

What great books have you read lately?

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1.  Wet Dog by Elise Broach

2.  The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare by Stan & Jan Berenstain

3.  Hardworking Puppies by Lynn Reiser

4.  The Berenstain Bears Go To School by Stan & Jan Berenstain

* 5.  The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly S. DiPucchio

6.  All Your Own Teeth by Adrienne Geoghegan

* 7.  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett


8.  Petunia by Roger Duvoisin

* 9.  Eloise in Hollywood by Kay Thompson

10.  The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

11.  Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

12.  The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

* 13.  The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson

* 14.  Pirates Go to School by Corinne Demas

15.  It's Hard to Be Five by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell

* 16.  Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett

* 17.  The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill

18.  Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer

19.  Emily Loves to Bounce by Stephen MIchael King

20.  The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg

* 21. The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins by Lester L. Laminack

22.  My Trip to the Hospital by Mercer Mayer

23.  Biscuit and the Little Pup by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

* 24.  Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper

25.  You're My Little Bunny by Claire Freedman and Gavin Scott

26.  Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm by Joy Cowley

27.  Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw

28.  A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

29.  Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle

30.  Valentine Cats by Jean Marzollo

31.  My Little Girl by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas

* 32.  Library Lilly by Gillian Shields

*: our favorites

Wordless Wednesday- with a few words

 :: squash are so cool ::

:: see how they grow from a flower ::

:: neat, huh ::

:: i bet you didn't know that a squash plant is prickly ::

:: i learned that the hard way ::

:: this wasn't even the smallest watermelon ::

:: the smallest one was the size of a grape ::

:: amazing, huh ::

Brave Mama

I took the girls to see Brave.

I had to coax Bug into going.  I showed her the trailer on youtube which turned out to be a not-so-bright idea.  It clearly scared the shiz out of her.

However, we all loved it.  It was a great movie that I can't wait to have in our DVD collection.

Our friends went with us to see the movie.

Trinity is the same age as Caroline and they get along so great.

The previews came on and like every 5 & 6 year old in the theater, they got excited.

They laughed when they saw something funny.

They got excited about upcoming movies (particularly Finding Nemo 3D).

They did nothing out of the way.

Well, I kept hearing this "shhhhhh".

I was thinking it was a teacher with a preschool group that was sitting 4 or 5 rows in front of us.

I definitely didn't think it was anyone referring to our children.

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

WTH?

Who is that?

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

It was coming from a woman in her late 30s/early 40s that was on the row in front of us.

I allowed one more SHHHHHHHHHHHH! before I flipped.

I calmly said, "Hey.  Ummm.  Yeah, excuse me."  She ignored me.  I kept on, "I'm talking to YOU!  Are you "shhhhhh"ing my children?"

She very calmly and with a pop of her lips said, "Yep!"

Um... no she just didn't.

I told her if she had a problem then she needed to move.  I told her my children were doing nothing out of the way.  I also told her this was a CHILDREN'S MOVIE!

She said in her snotty voice, "Well, I paid to see this movie too!"

I said, "That is fine.  I understand.  We all paid to see it.  However, if you have a problem, you need to move.  Oh, and you better NOT "shhhh" my children again."

Game over, bitches.

I quite possibly stuck my finger down at her face as I was talking.  I know for sure I was leaning forward to get closer to her.  When I get angry, everything becomes a blur.  My blood pressure sky rockets and I lose my memory.

All I know is, we didn't hear from her again.

I have learned (the hard way) that kindness always wins.  I could have gone craycray on her but I didn't.  I kept my composure and I semi-forcefully got my point across.  This is huge for me.  I am not known for my patience... especially with stupid people.

Here are my valid points:

- If you have a problem with children laughing, eating and making comments... do NOT go to a children's movie.  I mean seriously.  If you know a 5 year old that does not ask questions during a movie, send them to my house.  I would love to have a children that just watches a movie with NO questions!

- This woman was with a man her same age and no kids.  If you are an adult and want to go see a children's movie, that is totally fine.  But don't have a problem with children... especially mine.  She made an "adult" decision to go see this movie.  I was only there because my children were DYING to see it.  Otherwise, I have better ways to spend my Tuesday.

- If you have a problem with children, definitely do NOT go to a children's movie on a Tuesday at 1pm.  Tuesday is bargain day.  Everyone goes to see a movie on bargain day.  We are all just trying to save $2/ticket.


So here is my question to you, if you are a woman in your late 30s/early 40s who has a problem with children communicating during a movie, would you go to a children's film on bargain day at the local theater at the earliest possible showing time?


I DON'T THINK SO!


I win!

**  As a little sidenote: I love that I went all Mama Bear on the woman.  How appropriate for this movie, right??

Who does she belong to

I haven't mentioned it yet because I am trying to forget.

We have two new family members.

We have Lilly Lucy Lafone complete with a Dora twirly pink shell.

She is a night owl & likes to kick her rocks around (like most hermit crabs) but doesn't do anything crazy.

With a name like Lilly Lucy and a fancy shell, I bet you can't guess who she belongs to?!

And then we have Allie.

Allie is named after Ryan's first cousin who my children adore.

Allie is a bit different  (the hermit crab not the human.  The human Allie is super nice, pretty, & sweet)...

In other words, she is a nutjob (again, the hermit crab not the human).

I mean really!

Have you ever seen an Evel Knievel hermit crab?

I bet you can't guess who she belongs too?!

Rain. . . FINALLY

Yesterday was excruciatingly hot.

The humidity wrapped a blanket around your face when you walked outside.

You didn't even find much relief under the shade trees.

The Earth was super dry.  Everything, humans included, were longing for water.

Emma announced that her face was "burning" and she needed to go inside for a drink of Pepsi.

I will admit, I got a little excited at the sight of rain clouds.

They covered the hot sun and gave us all a second of relief.

We were all secretly praying for rain.

And finally, rain it did.

The rain came and stayed a while.

Our ditches and backyard overflowed with water.

I am pretty sure everything outside could be heard singing a sigh of relief.

The girls have never played in the rain.  To be honest, I have never let them.  It isn't something I was ever allowed to do as a child.  Not because my Mom said no but because I never wanted to do it.  I just always thought when it rained, you stayed inside.  Not to mention, I am not a big fan of grass sticking to my feet legs whole body.  

With their little noses pressed to the glass front door, I knew the girls wanted to go out.  I knew they wanted to "jump in muddy puddles" just like Peppa Pig.

"Do y'all want to go out and play?"  They both looked at me dumbfounded.  Before I could change my mind, they were out the door.

I think the rain was a shock at first because they started out kind of slow.  Lightly tiptoeing in the rain then deciding to gently bounce to splash just a little water.

The splashes eventually got bigger and suddenly they never wanted the rain to end.  However, Emma was nervous her white skirt was going to get wet.  She didn't realize the falling rain was soaking it already.  She held on tight to that skirt, protecting it.

I grabbed my camera to capture their first rain dance.

Sometimes when I am shooting, random songs will pop in my head.  Yesterday, Led Zeppelin's Bron-Y-Aur Stomp was the song playing in my head.

Click play and look at the pictures.  You will thank me later.

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"As we walk down the country lanes, I'll be singing a song,

Hear me calling your name.

Hear the wind within the trees, Telling Mother Nature 'bout you and me."

Bloggy Love: 4 little men and girly twins

Have y'all met Brittany at 4 little men and girly twins?

If not, go meet her and start following her blog!

Watch the video ::I get to be the one::

Love!

Congratulations to Brittany and her precious family!

Happiness this week

- I found these fabulous bowls this past weekend.  I love them.  Definitely make me smile.

-  $2.97 on a bottle of happiness with my most favorite wine glasses ever.

- My July Southern Living came yesterday.  I love a new magazine... especially a new Southern Living.

- Happiness= Sweet Potato Onion bread from Chef & the Farmer Wine Shop.  Best bread ever.

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Happy Weekend!!

Email and prayer

Oh, the conversations we have with our 5 year old...

Hailey: "Caroline, I'm pretty sure you did that on purpose and that is NOT nice!"

Caroline: "I'm pretty sure I didn't do it on purpose!" *eye roll*

Hailey: "Well, I think you did and I think you know that you did it on purpose too."

Caroline: "You need to email Jesus.  I'm serious.  You need to email him.  Yep, because he will tell you that I didn't do it on PURPOSE!"

Hailey:  "I'm pretty sure Jesus doesn't have an email."

Caroline: "WELL, YOU NEED TO PRAY THEN!  START PRAYING!!"  *eye roll*

The smelly mom

What.a.mess.I.am.

I didn't go to sleep until 2 am Tuesday night (really Wednesday morning).

Caroline was up until 12:15am.

She was screaming.  She said she was scared I was going to leave her.

Psh!  I have no idea where the girl thinks this stuff up.

She finally gave in to sleep when I was crying, she was crying and Ryan came in and saved us both.

I was hoping to go to bed soon after she fell asleep.

No such luck.

I thought I had thrown Ryan's uniform shirts and uniform shorts in the wash.

WRONG.

I just washed the shorts.

Therefore, I was up until 2am washing shirts and waiting to put them in the dryer.

I cried.

A lot.

I am an emotional person at times.

It was a long night and a very early morning.

We had big plans for Wednesday.  We were supposed to go to the movies at 10am.

Since Caroline wouldn't go to sleep the night before, I told her we were not going to the movie.

I felt like complete shiz not taking her but she would not listen to me and "JUST GO TO SLEEEP!".

Even thought the movie did not work out, I could not sit in this house all day.

We went to the Nature Center instead.

Man, I love that place.

I packed a nice lunch of pizza, frozen strawberries, nabs, and fruit snacks.

I went to the refrigerator to grab two juice boxes.

Psh!

We only had regular and diet Mountain Dew.

I opted for the regular.

So while my children ate lunch, they got all jacked up on Mountain Dew.

Side note: I got all jacked up on a large iced black coffee from McDonald's.  These are a lifesaver especially when you are running on 5 hours of sleep.

I am sure I looked like a very responsible parent at the park.

Whatev.

The girls quickly ate their lunch while I quickly sucked down my coffee.

I felt like I had forgotten something.

I had the weird feeling all morning.

The girls were ready to play.

I stood in the hot sun.

OH NO!

I know what I forgot.

In the hustle and bustle of getting myself and two children ready, I FORGOT DEODORANT.

Mother of all things holy!

My heart dropped.

No deodorant?

I am sure I am going to start smelling like a goat and I am SURE I will see 800 people I know.

Shit.

I slowly lifted my arm and sniffed.

It wasn't discreet.

No need in being discreet.

Shew!  I smelled like soap.

Everything was all good for the moment.

I quickly rounded the girls up and averted their attention to the indoor, air conditioned planetarium.

I couldn't make them go home.  I had already taken the movie away.

Inside the planetarium, all was well with my armpits.

We spent a total of 2 non-deodorized hours at the Nature Center and I did not see one single person I knew.

That, my friends, is a record.

As we finished up our adventure and were walking to the car, I realized no deodorant was better than other alternatives.

Things could always be worse.

Much worse.

Do you know what kind of looks I would have gotten if I had forgotten to put on a bra?

Butterflies

So the other day on FB someone posted this.

I loved it.

I read it over and over.

20 bones getting fractured... wow!  "I really am superwoman," I was thinking to myself.

Holla!

After reading it about 10 times, smiling proudly and patting myself on the back I noticed the picture.

For real?

A baby coming out.

Really?

Ummm.

Nobody wants to see that.

It brings back memories of those 57 del units of pain and makes me want to throw up.

It also made me try to remember if my babies were face up or face down when they were born.

NOT a good memory/image when you are trying to boost a woman's confidence.

What is wrong with butterflies?  Couldn't they have just put a nice butterfly in the background?

Any advice is welcome.

Sorry I haven't blogged in a day or two.  I've lost count.

We are trying to put together a Disney trip.

What a disaster this is!!

Any advice is welcome.

All of the info is soooo overwhelming.

Any advice is welcome.

We have the dates.

Any advice is welcome.

Cinderella's Royal Table is booked already (We are going in September.  I knew it though.  I knew it.)

Any advice is welcome.

Should we do another character dining experience?

Any advice is welcome.

Should we do Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Any advice is welcome.

Where have y'all stayed?

Any advice is welcome.

Did you fly or drive?

Where can I find the princesses?  Namely Ariel and Rapunzel.

Where can I find Buzz, Woody and Jessie?

HELP ME!!!

Happy Baby Daddy Day!

Even though the Jehovah's Witness doesn't celebrate holidays, I do.

I hope you have the best Father's Day evah!

You are the best Baby Daddy in the world.

We love you to the moon and back!

Oh, Carolina

Summers in rural Eastern North Carolina are exactly what you would expect them to be.

... Full moons on the mill pond ...

... sunsets that look like the trees are on fire ...

&

... growing tobacco ...

... burning wheat fields ...

... corn ...

... lots of corn ...

... and that's not the kind of corn you eat, folks ...

... pink feathery flowers on the mimosa trees ...

... peanuts ...

... at least I think they are peanuts anyway ...

Southern summers are

... quiet ...

... hot ...

... anything but slow...

... wonderful ...

Be jealous you city slickers.

"Like the sound of a siren song, Oh Carolina, you keep calling me home"

- Eric Church

OMG

One of my favorite songs: Don't Be Shy by Cat Stevens

PLUS

My favorite singer of all time: Eddie Vedder

As someone once said, "It doesn't get Eddie Vedder!"

*Love*

Razors, weddings, & turtles in one day

* Caroline shaved her face today... with an electric razor.

I very calmly explained to her that she is a girl and girls don't need to shave their faces.

I also very sternly explained that razors (of all sorts) are for adult ONLY!

* Emma invited Caroline to her wedding.

She said she was going to marrying Jay (my Dad) and Poppy (Ryan's dad).

This is weird on so many levels.  Ha!

I explained to her that she could only marry ONE person.

I also explained to her that she could not marry her granddad.

She screamed.

A.lot.

* Zoey tried to kill a turtle.

I went all super hero and saved a turtle... WITH MY CAMERA AROUND MY NECK.  (all for the sake of blogging).

Anyway, Zoey barked and barked and barked and barked.

I walked outside when I noticed her pouncing.

Dogs normally don't pounce.

Found this little guy.

Poor little turtle dude.

I scooped him up and threw him over the fence.

It sounds bad.  I didn't "throw" him.  I just lightly dropped him.

I checked on him a little while later and he was gone.

Superhero, I tell you!

* Caroline ended the day by getting into the bathtub with her underwear still on her body.

** It's going to be a long summer.**

FIRE

Summer brings cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, watermelon, blueberries, grapes, and all other sorts of yummies.

Well, this year my husband decided to plant jalapenos and habaneros.

Jalapenos... I understand.

They are delicious... when completely seeded.

Throw a glob of cream cheese in a jalapeno boat, wrap with bacon, and grill.  Oh so good!

We are going to have TONS of jalapenos.

Little Baby Jalapenos.

*So cute*

Now while I understand growing jalapenos, I DO NOT understand growing these bad boys.

Habaneros.

Clearly, you cannot even eat these peppers so what is the point in growing them?

I touched a leaf the other day and got scared.

I immediately went inside and washed my hands.

These peppers are scary.

They will make a grown man cry.

Ryan has lost his mind.  Whatever.

I will not be cooking, dicing, etc. these bad boys.

Texting with Jay.

My Dad can barely turn on a computer.

Technology is stressful for him.

The most technologically advanced he get is his UPS DIAD.

He thought it was so awesome when I set up an email for him.

Speaking of, I wonder how often he checks it?

Anyway, the day my Dad starting texting was the day we thought the world was going to end.

He can even forward messages now.

He mostly forwards the ugly jokes that he laughs about for days.

Well, yesterday we had a texting conversation.

The Big Rock tournament that is going on right now.

Our neighbor at the beach is fishing and I was giving him an update.
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Hailey:  Carolina Time hooked up at 12:19pm.

Hailey: I'll keep you updated

Dad:  Tks

Hailey: Lost (pulled hook) at 12:48

Dad: Tks
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Tks?

WTF is tks?

I thought about it for a minute.

THANKS!

Tks means thanks!

Well, I thought Dad had just made this abbreviation up (more than likely he did).

I googled it just to see if this was actually an abbreviation for thanks.

My google results came in.

Sure enough, TKS means thanks.

Who would have ever thought MY Dad would know this stuff?

I'm proud of you, Dad!

I drove a minivan. Vomit.

The Jeep ride is getting inspected.

So, Daddy George let me borrow a car.

Scratch that... a minivan.

A van.

A pimp van.

Y'all know I hate a minivan.

Gross.

I posed and made my 5 year old take my picture with the van.

It is old.

No automatic doors.

No DVD player.

No freaking air conditioner.

As if the van could get any worse.

NO AIR.

As soon as Caroline got in she screamed "WHAT IS THAT SMELL????"

The pimp van smells of cheeseburgers and... urine.

With all that in mind, I said a lot of ugly words driving the pimp van to story time this morning.

I parked behind the library.

Dangerous... I know.

I had to hide the van.

 Thank goodness no one saw us.

What a disaster that would have been.

We can't hide the smell but we can hide the van.

Holler!

Crisis avoided.

UNTIL, I saw this picture.

Dear God.

I was dancing back to the house and Caroline was snapping pictures.

I took one look at this one and notice my zipper was down.

Not only did I show up to story time in a minivan, I went into story time with my zipper down.

Dang, I am so cool!

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* For more giggles: As I was typing this post, Bug walked up to me.  She tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Can we go ride the minivan now?"  She loves it.